ROBINHO CONFIDENT OF SANTOS MOVE

Manchester City forward Robinho has revealed that he is confident a loan move to Brazilian side Santos will be finalised this week.

The former Real Madrid man has been linked with a move away from Eastlands throughout January, despite City boss Roberto Mancini recently revealing that he would like the player to stay.

The 26-year-old has spoken out about a move for the first time though and this seems to indicate that something will be happening in the not too distant future. In fact, he has said that the move to Santos is “90 per cent certain” to go ahead.

The only stumbling block according to Robinho is the length of the loan deal, as “Santos want a year, but City want just six months”. He expects this to be finalised “in two or three days” though, meaning that his Manchester City career could well be over, less than two years after he signed for the club.

Robinho has enjoyed mixed success in the Premier League, with the current campaign an extremely inconsistent one for him. He has failed to hold down a regular place in the side and only managed his first goal of the season in the FA Cup game against Scunthorpe on Sunday. After the win, Manchester City’s FA Cup odds place them among the favourites for the tournament.

However, if they do lift the trophy it is unlikely Robinho will be there. It is thought that the Brazilian is desperate to start more games in the build up to the World Cup and a move back home to Santos – where he began his career – would suit him perfectly.

As for Manchester City, well they will eventually want to recoup some of the £32.4m they paid for him in 2008.

For now though they may have to settle for getting first refusal on talented Santos youngsters Paulo Henrique Ganso and Neymar.

This should happen if Robinho is able to complete his anticipated loan move back to Brazil.

Meanwhile, Manchester City’s Premier League odds suggest they are in with a good chance of securing Champions League football for next season.

3 Comments

I really do hope Manchester City reach the CL next season. As for Robinho, I’m yet to see a Brazilian perform well in England, there are some rare cases but it is quite clear the England is not the land for the Samba boys.